Rules Clarification 2.0 PVP baiting

[Eternal.Journey]

This notice is a general warning that explains the server staff’s current position on “PvP baiting”.

2.0 - Every ship must have one ID equipped, and play in a way that represents the role of that ID. Your ID explains what you can do and where. Some IDs have a 'Zone of Influence' (ZOI) where extra actions are permitted. All IDs have a ZOI in systems containing an NPC station of the same affiliation.

IDs that specify a Zone of Influence let you know what you can do and where. The rules also allow you to defend your allies (by NPC diplomacy or group membership), unless you are in a capital ship outside your Zone of Influence.

This warning has been primarily prompted by two recent situations:

Convoys of DTR capital ships regularly roaming outside their ZoI, i.e. Liberty, to “defend “ their smugglers.
LSF capital ships appearing at the Reincarnation siege yesterday, to “defend” the Core there.

PvP baiting is when a player is in a location where they do not have any right to initiate an attack, but either antagonises their opponents into attacking them, or places themselves in a situation / location where it is inevitable that they will be attacked.

This isn’t a new idea, and is something that was severely punished in the past as it is effectively a method of circumventing ID restrictions. While we're not saying that was the intent in the two situations above, they are illustrative of the concept.

This thread serves as a reminder not to do this, as we will be considering future occurrences as breaches of rule 2.0.

Some examples:

A BAF fighter flies to Ile-de-France and repeatedly insults Gallic Navy players until they attack him. This is PvP baiting because he is goading a fight while trying to hide behind “self-defence” rules.
A group of Unioners and Rogue Scyllas raid New Berlin. Even if they do not shoot first, the Rogues are PvP baiting because they are out of ZoI, are flying a ship class that is not allowed to defend allies outside ZoI, and have placed themselves in a situation where combat is inevitable.
A fleet of Corsair battleships sit outside Manhattan to "observe". Despite sending messages that are "polite" / non-antagonizing, this is PvP baiting because they are aware that their presence in such a sensitive location will inevitably provoke an attack.

I do have to say, this is a far better way to handle these cases. Kudos for that.

Also like to highlight that these examples are very very good in terms of highlighting the "PvP Baiting" side of it, because I don't believe its truly been properly explained in the past. Everyone has their opinions on what is and isn't, and that of course is where previous confusions rest.

One edge case is quite the conundrum though. Insert Artifact smuggler case from... some months ago now. Outcasts get to /1 /2 Stabiline and Artifact smugglers absolutely anywhere on anything. Say you found someone smuggling artifacts to Gallia (for whatever reason, edge case hypothetical) and you have killed said smuggler before as an Outcast. You see that smuggler in Omicron Theta, but they're too far to do anything. You know their route, you cut them off in Gallia. Out of ZoI for Outcast, but if it has Artifacts, you as the Outcast can shoot them. It turns out they are just hauling Rum this time and they report you for being out of ZoI. How would this be treated?

One more clarification is needed though. The proposed changes to what's a "Transport" or "Liner" or "Combat Ship". Say you bring a Bustard, which in itself is a very combat-capable ship: Does this rulechange make it also not usable outside of ZoI for more than "defensive capacity"? I have seen this being brought up many a time and still no actual concrete decision on whether or not this is breaking ID lines, or whether that its "Liner" classification makes it the sole exemption that can be used as though it is a snub in terms of "Being able to do more than defend itself outside of ZoI".

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